Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Manager at Palladium Group

PURPOSE

• The MERL Manager will design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation processes for assigned programme interventions following the programme's technical and MERL strategies. The key responsibilities detailed below are not exhaustive and may change as the programme grows and evolves.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the development and update of intervention guides for each intervention. This includes developing and updating results chains, monitoring plans, support calculations and intervention learning.
• Oversee intervention monitoring and data collection to generate high-quality and timely data for reporting and decision-making.
• Lead the conduct of intervention baseline and outcome surveys, market research, diagnostics, scoping studies, GESI studies, etc.
• Synthesise evidence from data collection and surveys and provide regular feedback to intervention teams to support the adaptive management of the programme’s interventions.
• Design effective study tools, instruments, methods and plans for gathering information that can inform programme strategies and capture the impact of interventions.
• Oversee the collation of output data from partners and ensure proper desk review, field-based verification and upload of validated data on programme MIS systems.
• Undertake frequent performance monitoring field visits and provide improvement feedback to the technical team on return.
• Work closely with the Communications and Knowledge Management teams to ensure that successes and lessons from interventions are documented and disseminated to a broader audience.
• Support periodic review and learning sessions, working with the Knowledge Management team.
• Develop monthly/quarterly/yearly work plans and budgets with other members of the MERL, Communications and Knowledge Management Team.
• Manage, inspire and support the MERL Specialist(s) to execute their roles and responsibilities.
• Undertake any other duties assigned.

REPORTING AND LINE MANAGEMENT

• This post will report to the MERL Director and supervise one or more MERL Specialists.

Core

Required Qualifications:

• BSc or MSc degree in a relevant discipline, including economics, geography, statistics, evaluation, agriculture, social sciences, or other related degrees.
• At least 5 years MERL experience working with agricultural-related programmes similar to Propcom+. This experience can be a combination of MERL Manager and Specialist/Officer roles or solely MERL Specialist/Officer experience.

Desired

• Experience implementing DCED standards in programmes.
• Experience working in Northern agricultural markets or value chains.
• Fluency in speaking and understanding Hausa.

Skills To Be Demonstrated

• Analytical skills and expertise in using MS Excel, Power BI, and other data analysis tools.
• Development of surveys and data collection instruments using KoboToolbox.
• Verbal and written communication skills (in English)
• Soft skills: strategic thinking, detail orientation, problem-solving, analytical, teamwork, team management, and task management skills.